Work handling apparatus



June l11, 1940- c. A. SHAFFER 2,203,799

' l wnx HANDLING APPARATUS Filed April 14. 1939 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 l :i tion,

` Patented June 11, 1940 UNITED sTATEs PATENTol-Flc WORK HANDLING nrrnmrrus` Charles A. Shaffer, Hays, Pa. Application April 14, iosaseriai No'. 267,928

ful improvements in work handling apparatus.

`In work handling apparatus rof the type disq closed `herein and wherein cylindrical work such` `l5` as `steel piping or rolled cylinders of magnetic material are magnetically gripped `for transpor- `tation to another part oa shop or `for loading purposes, serious difficulty has been experienced byfinterruption in the current supply for the enlD ergization of the magnet, resulting inthe dropping of the workbeing transported and damage thereto as well as damage to other work and possible injury to workirlen.` It `is therefore the primary object of thisinvention to provide work handling apparatus `embodying alifting magnet having combined therewith pneumatically or hydraulically operated work gripping jaws so that in the event of an interruption in the source of electrical energy to the magnet, the Work gripe 520 ping jaws lwill safely transport the work.

With the above and other objects in view` that will become apparentas the nature of the invention is better understood, thefsarne consists in `general of certain novel details` ofconstruction and arrangement of parts hereinafterrnore fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings `and claimed. Y l "In "the ,accompanying drawings: U Figure 1 is a side elevational View of the workgrippinghead of the work handling apparatus, i "the work to be transported being shownin side elevation and partly broken away and shownin section while` the work-gripping head is illustratedby dotted lines in its work-gripping posi- Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional viewtaken online 22 of Figure l, showing operating means for the work-gripping jaws supported onthe upper face of the lftingmagnet, ,i i

" Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View of the work-gripping head showing the gripping `jaws in their extended work-gripping positions, p e e W i Figure 4 is a verticallongitudinal `sectional View, similar to Figure 3`, showing the work-grip- Figure 6 is a `detailed sectional View taken on` e the work-gripping jaws, and l l e Figured` is', a detailedfsectional View takenon line 'IQ-1" of Figure 4, showingfthe anchormeans lineIi-I of Figure 4i, showing a guide` strip for ,j y y s Claims. `(ci. zal-ssl i "This invention relates to certain new andusein the' work-gripping head for a plunger cylinder.` The work handling apparatus is4 employed in connection with a derrick or `shop crane, and while the samemay be employed for transporting vitreous pipe, metal pipe or `any tubular work, B thesarne is primarily intended for use in the handling of rolled sheet tin for the transportation of `the rolled tin from one part of a work shop to another part or for the loading thereof. The

i werk handling apparatus comprises a work-gripi0" ping head that includes la lifting magnet I0 haV- ing `marginal `lugs Il rising therefrom for the attachment of hoist chains I2 which in turn are engaged with the hook I3 of a block and tackle I4 of the type associated with a shop crane. The l5 magnet l0 `is energized through the medium of electrical devices I5 controlled in their operation by the operator of the crane. e

The work-handling head includes auxiliary work-gripping devices that are elfective for hold- 20 "ing the work in the event of an interruptionof ably engaged therewith as at 2'I for positioning the cylinder I6l into the bore or central opening 1 22 in the cylindrical work 2,3 as shown by dotted lines in Figure 1; The cylinder I6 has` pairs of diametrically opposite longitudinally; extending 35 slotted openings 24 therein through which workgripping jaws 25 `having knurled `or work-gripping faces 26 project, the work-gripping jaws 25 being shown in their retracted inoperated positions in Figures 4 and 5 and intheir projected 40 work-gripping `positicnis in Figures land 3, the operating means for the work-gripping jaws 25 being housed withinthe cylinder I6 and transported upon the upper face of the lifting magnet I0. l

i The `devices within the cylinder IB for the operation of the work-gripping jaws 25v are supported on a grill work comprising horizontal bars 21 and include a center block 28 having two horizontal crossing bores 29 arranged at right angles 50 to each other between the upper and` lower ends of the block and a vertical bore 30 extending from l the `upper end of the block downwardly to the in-` tersecting point of the crossing bores 29 `for communication therewith. .Pairs of diametrically op-` 55 ythe work 23.

posite cylinders 3l are anchored at their inner ends as at 32 in any suitable manner to the block 28 and eaclrpiston is further anchored in position to a frame bar 21 by means of a U-bolt or shackle 33 extending downwardly over the cylinder and having the lower threaded ends of the side legs thereof extending through openings in the bar 2l for the reception of retaining nuts 35. The several cylinders 4l are respectively alined with the work-grippingjaws 25 and each cylinder 3l has a piston 36 therein backed by the usual piston cup 31 that faces'a horizontal cross: bore 29. Each piston 36 has a pivot lug connection 38 at its outer end with a link 33 and the outer end of each link 39 has a pivot lug connection dulwith the inner side of the adjacent work-gripping jaw 25 intermediate the upper and lower ends theref ofA so that said jaw may move relatively vto the link39 and piston 36 to nd flat contact with The work-gripping jaws 25 are guided in their Amovements by top and bottom flanges 4l` extending inwardly from the upper and lower ends'of `the slotted openings 24 whiley horizontally disposed U-shaped. guide strips 42 aresecuredvas at43 to the inner face of the cylinder ladjacentthe upper and lower ends of the openingsl 24 as shown more clearly in Figure l 6. Asshown inf-Figure 5, the pivot lug connection 43 between the `plunger 39 and work-gripping jaws 25-includepivot pins 44 of a length to` extend laterally of the cylinders3l and each `pivot `pin has one end of a coil spring 45 attached thereto as at 43vwhilethe other end of thecoil springv 4,5 ,is attached as at 4l to :a corner of the center block 23, the springs acting Vto move pistons 36 and links 33v towardthe inner ends of the cylinders andto retract the work-gripping jawsto their inoperative positions as shown in Figures 4' face of the liiting'magnet i3 and operatedlcy an electric motor` 49 through the medium of connecting rods 53, the motore@ receiving its energy through conductor wires under control of theoperator of the crane. A pipe line 52 extends. from the fluid pump 4&3v downwardly through the central opening I3 in the liftingmagnet li! and is attached at its lower endas at 53 to the upper end ofthe block 28 for communication with the vertical borek 33 in'said block. A check valve 54 ismounted in the pipe line 52 to prevent the return flow of .iluid to the pump. A by-pass pipe 55-isattaclied atits ends as at`56 and 51 respectively to the pipe line 52 at opposite sides of the check valve 54 and said by-passpipe 55 has a manually operated normally spring-closed valve 58 therein. i

i In the use of the work handling apparatus the crane is moved and the block and tackle I4 operate to lposition the cylinder `i6 of the work lifting head vdirectly above the wo-rk 23, the conical head 23 guiding the cylinder I6 downwardly into the central opening22 of the work 23, the magn'etul3- being lowered into engagement with the upper end of the cylindrical work 23 as shown by dotted lines in Figure l., and when energized with electrical devices U5,A the work is lifted by ther magnet and transported to `the desiredvpoint. When the lifting magnet I3 is engaged with the work 23, the motor 43 is` then operated for operating the iiuid pump 48 kto cause fluid to flow. ,v throughthepipe 5,2 by way of the, check valve 54 into the bores 3U and 29 inthe block 28 within the cylinder I6 for moving the piston 36 toward the outer ends of the cylinders and causing the plunger 39 to move the work-gripping jaws 25 into bighting engagement with the inner wall 22 of the cylindrical work 23. The motor 43 may` have an automatic cut-out in association therewith or the motor may be of the overrunning type yand will cease to operate the pump 48 after the to` retract the pistons 36, plunger 33, and workgripping jaws 25v and force the fluid in the inner end. of the cylinders 3l and boresv 29 and 30 back through the pipe and through the by-pass pipe 55 to the pipe 52 return to the pump 48 and When'pressure on'the valve 58 is relieved, the same automatically .closes and the hydraulic mechanism is automatically set for another operation of the work-grippingjaws.

From the above, detailed description of 'the-invention, ,it` is believed` thatY the construction and operationihereof will at once be apparent, and while: there is herein shown and described the preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that minorchanges may be made in the details of construction, such as will fall within the-scope of the invention as claimed.

4 1.. In work handling'apparatus of the character described, a lifting device including a. carrying member, a cylindrical headdepending from the-'carrying member, work-gripping `jaws carried by the head and horizontally movable relativethereo, hydraulically operated means for proj ecting` the jaws including a -piston and cylinder in the head for each` jaw and fluid supply means for the cylinders carriedby the carrying member and means for retracting the work-gripping jaws to their inoperative positions within the head, the cylindrical head having slotted openings through which the gripping jaws project and. guide means for the grippingjaws bordering saidL slotted openings. i

2. In werk handling. apparatus of the characterdescribed, a lifting device including a carrying member, a cylindrical headv depending from the carrying member, lwork-gripping jaws carried by the head and horizontally movable relative thereto, hydraulically operated means for projecting thel jaws including a pistonY and cylinderin the head for each jaw and fluid supply means for the cylinders carried by the carrying member, means for retracting the work-gripping jaws to their inoperative positions within the head, a ported block to which each piston is attachedand said fluid supply means being in communication with said ported block, the cylindrical head having slotted openings through which the gripping jawsproject and guide means for the gripping jaws bordering said slotted openings.

3..In.work handling apparatus of the character described, a lifting device includinga carryingmiember,l a cylindrical head' depending from the carrying member, work-gripping jaws carriedbythehead and horizontally movable relatives.ythereto, hydraulically operated means for `projecting the jaws including a piston and cylmaar in the head for each jaw and fluid supply rying member, a cylindrical head depending from `lmeans for the cylinders carried by the carrying` member, means for retracting the work-gripping jaws to their inoperative positions within `the u head and a conical centering guide detachably engaged with the lower end of the cylindrical head for positioning said head within acentral opening in the work being engaged.

4. In work handling apparatus of the character described, alifting device including a car- `the carrying member, work-gripping jaws carried by the head and horizontally movable relative thereto, hydraulically operated means for projecting the jaws including a piston and cylinder in the head for each jaw and fluid supply j means for the cylinders carried by the carrying member, means for retracting the work-gripping jaws to `their inoperative `positions `within the head and a ported block to which eachpiston is attached, said fluid `supply means being in lcommunication with said ported block, and a l conical centeringguide detachably engaged with ,i `tive thereto, hydraulically operated means for` i Hprojecting the jaws including a piston andcyl- "35 `the lower end of the cylindricalhead for positioning said head within a central the work being engaged.`

5. In work handling` apparatus of the charopening` `in acter described, a lifting device including a car-` rying member, a cylindrical head depending from the carrying member, work-gripping jaws car-` ried by the head and horizontally movable relainder in the head for each jaw and fluid supply a l means for the cylinders carried by the carrying ,lmembenmeans for retracting the work-gripping `jaws, to their inoperative positions within the head, the fluid supply means supported on the carrying member including a fluid pump, an overrunningmotor for operating the pump, apipe` line connection between the pump and each piston, a non-return check valve in said pipe line, a by-pass pipe connected at itsends to saidpipe line at opposite sides of said check valveand a normally spring-fclosed hand-operated valve in the bypass pipe.` l

6. In `work handling apparatus of `the character described, a lifting device including a carrying member, a cylindrical headdepending from' the carrying member, work-gripping jaws car- 3ried by the head` and horizontally movable relative thereto, hydraulically operated means for projecting the jaws including a `piston and cylinder inthe head for each jaw and fluid supply means for thecylinders carried by the carrying a a member, means for retracting the work-gripping `jaws to their inoperative positions within the '7. In` work handling apparatus, a carryingv member, a tubular head' depending therefrom,

work-gripping jaws adapted for engagement interiorly of tubular work carried normally interiorly of said tubular head and movable transn versely of said head for projection laterally thereof into work engaging positions and controlled fluid operated means for projecting the jaws into work engaging positions,` the fluid operated means being of hydraulic character and including a uid pump and operating "motor therefor mounted on the carrying member, a ported block mounted in the tubular head, cylinder and piston connections between said block and gripping jaws, a pipe connection between the pump and ported block having a check valve therein opening toward the block and a by-pass pipe connectedto the aforesaid pipe at opposite sides of said check valve and having a manually controlled Valve therein to permit the return of fluid from the ported block to saidpump for the retraction ofthe gripping jaws.

8. In work handling apparatus,` `a carrying member, a tubular head depending therefrom, work-gripping` jaws, adapted for engagement in i teriorly of tubular work `carried normally interiorly of said tubular head and movable transversely `of said head for projection laterally thereof into work Aengaging positions and concontrolled fluid operated means supported on the carrying member and head for projectingthe `jaws into work engaging positions, the fluid o'perated means being of hydraulic character and including a iluidpump and operating motor` therefor mounted on the` carrying member, a ported block mounted inthe tubular head, cylinder and piston connections between said block and gripping jaws, a pipe connection between the pump and ported block having a check valve `therein opening toward the block and a by-pass' pipe connected to the aforesaidpipe at opposite sides of said check valve and having a manually controlled valve therein to permit the return of fluid from the ported block to said pump for the retraction of the gripping jaws.

` CHARLES` A. SHAFFER.

head and a ported block to which each piston is attached, said fluid supply means being in communication with said portedv block, the fluid 

